"Is it not to Allah that sincere devotion is due?" (39/3) All divine laws make up the entirety of the religion revealed by prophets to men. The mystery of creation and of life is between the lines of the Qur'an. It is through praise of God and expression of gratitude that one attains salvation. Peace and salvation are the objectives targeted. The word 'Islam' means 'resignation and complete surrender to God's will' "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)." (3/83)
ISLAM IN A WIDER CONTEXT
And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob; "Oh my sons! Allah hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam." (2/132)
Said the disciples: "We are Allah.s helpers: We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims. (3/52)
We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)." (3/84)
The Qur'an calls all the revelations that have come down from Abraham till Muhammad 'Islam'. The devotees of the Old and the New Testament are named in the Qur'an as 'The people of the book'. As one can see all the believers are considered as one community; they were warned, however, against corrupt practices, some having strayed from the true path, others remaining faithful to the latter. "Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in Allah and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous. Of the good that they do, nothing will be rejected of them; for Allah knoweth well those that do right.(3/113-115) Those to whom We sent the Book before this,- they do believe in this (revelation): And when it is recited to them, they say: "We believe therein, for it is the Truth from our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims (bowing to Allah.s Will) from before this." (28/52-53)
All the prophets have taught that their communities believe in one God and resign themselves to His will and are warned not to be deceived by heretical creeds attributing divinity to false gods. Thus all that has been revealed to Moses, David and Jesus and Muhammad constitute the only and unique religion that the Qur'an calls 'Islam'.
'ISLAM' IN THE NARROWER SENSE
… This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion… (5/3)
… To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety … (5/48)
The revelation to Muhammad, the last of the prophets, has also been called 'Islam'. The Qur'an, the last of the books to be revealed confirms the books that preceded it - parts of which having been lost or adulterated - is the keeper of the divine revelations till the end of time.
ISLAM, THE RELIGION
The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will): Nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. (3/19)
So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah.s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah. that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not. (30-30)
If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah., never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good). (3/85)
Man tried to alter and modify the books revealed by God to suit their own ends. The last book revealed, the Qur'an has remained and will remain intact to the end of time. Religion is one and no distinctions should be made between 'religions' although their practices may have varied in the course of centuries. Islam is the quintessence of all the so called religions and shall remain unadulterated henceforth.
VARIATIONS IN BOOK REVEALED
Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel. (5/47)
To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah. it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute. (5/48)
"O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith. (5/68)
Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in Allah and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous. Of the good that they do, nothing will be rejected of them; for Allah knoweth well those that do right. (3/113-115)
… say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)." (29/46)
God warns the Judeo-Christians to observe the injunctions stated in their own books. Yet, the Qur'an, the last revealed book confirms the books that have preceded it. It is the only book that has remained unadulterated. The Old Testament had been destroyed by the Babylonians and the New Testament had been subject to a like fate. Yet the Qur'an was sent to confirm them in their original versions. Those that have some sense, a sound mental capacity will end up choosing Islam as their religion and be among the saved.
ON THE DOOMSDAY EVERYBODY WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDING HIS OWN BOOK
And thou wilt see every sect bowing the knee: Every sect will be called to its Record: "This Day shall ye be recompensed for all that ye did! (45/28)
"Men have the choice to abide by the book revealed unto them. Let there be no compulsion in religion." (2/256)
However, the last book to be revealed, the Qur'an, is naturally the Book that should be preferred and abided by.
PRAYER